- INTELLIGENT RESISTANCE -
Free. Fair. Fearless. Intelligentsiya is made up of Fiji Islanders who are libertarians in their own way and who cherish the free flow of news, ideas and information and will peacefully resist any attempts by the country's military rulers to stifle free speech. intelligentsiya will also bear witness, report and discuss human rights abuses by the authorities.

July 29, 2013

CommentaryBy Richard HerrJuly 27, 2013, 12:26 am TWNIs Russia about to become another brick in the wall between Fiji and its Western friends?

The official visit by Fiji's Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, to Russia in late June has further developed a relationship that has been growing significantly closer over the last two years.

In the course of the visit, he and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed five agreements, covering topics from financial security cooperation and the abolition of visa requirements through to MOUs on health and university cooperation to military-technical cooperation. For a brief hyperbolic moment, Fiji media reports prior to the visit even suggested that Russia was about to open an embassy in Suva to substantially deepen the political relationship.

Fiji's pursuit of non-traditional friends has intensified as the grip of international sanctions has shown no sign of relaxation despite the progress made by the Bainimarama Government toward elections by September 2014. Fiji targeted Russia as part of diplomatic initiative centered on the BRICS countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — from early 2011. In February 2012, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Fiji.

This was followed up a few months later by a delegation of Russian officials including military officers.

The nature of the mutual interest at that time was subject to the speculation that Russian interests lay in western Asia not the Pacific.

This conjecture rested on Moscow's pursuit of support for its position in the Caucasus region regarding the disputed territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Australia's then Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, openly accused Russia of check-book diplomacy in seeking to buy international recognition for the two break-away enclaves.

Russia does have some Pacific objectives of its own, as Russian President Vladimir Putin made clear in the opening of the May 2012 Vladivostok APEC Summit. In its own pivot to the Pacific, RADM Sergei Avakyants, Commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, announced that, for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia would send new warships to the Far East in 2014.

Undoubtedly the prospect of the BRICS Development Bank is especially attractive in light of difficulties associated with other banks where perceived Australian interference has worked against access to loans.

The more immediate objective is political: to reinforce the Government's increasing independence from its traditional friends as evidence by its “Look North” policy.

At one level, the “Look North” policy isn't materially different from any other state beating a path to Beijing's door in the Asia-Pacific Century.

Yet, in Fiji's case, it's routinely contrasted with the less sympathetic treatment Suva receives from Canberra, Wellington and Washington, with the implication that China's an alternative to these traditional friends.

Fiji has joined the Non-Aligned Movement, sought greater South-South cooperation and elevated those regional arrangements that exclude Australia and New Zealand.

The BRICS aspect of this agenda has been bolstered bilaterally with the opening of resident diplomatic missions in Brazil and South Africa in the past two years.

Fiji has had diplomatic ties with China since 1975. The Bainimarama Government is open in its desire to establish new relations with states that understand and will support its domestic reform agenda. Russian Prime Minister Medvedev gave Fiji his backing, openly asserting that Fiji had the “right to be left alone” by “other countries,” implying Australia and New Zealand.

The potential military linkage is raising eyebrows externally especially in the wake of reports that Russia will help to equip nearly 600 Fiji troops on U.N. peacekeeping deployment to the Golan Heights. Western sanctions have restricted Fiji's access to military equipment resupply and modernization since the December 2006 military coup brought Commodore Bainimarama to power.

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces have made small arms purchases from Indonesia and talked with China about more significant assistance. The prospective loss of NATO interoperability with the RFMF has been a source of concern among some Western states during this time but not enough to address Fiji's resupply and modernization issues. Russian support for the Golan Heights deployment may just be the thin edge of the wedge: a trial prior to a more general re-equipment of the RFMF that will move it and Fiji further away from the country's traditional Western alignment.

Even if the Russian materiel for the Golan Heights proves more limited, it would still pose some significant challenges for Fiji's diplomacy and even for the RFMF, which has enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for professionalism in its U.N. peacekeeping roles.

Nevertheless, it has also maintained the confidence of the Israelis when deployed along their borders.

The Fiji mission is fraught enough due to the difficulties that have seen peacekeepers from other countries withdrawn from the Golan Heights, as well as Hezbollah activity throughout this area.

Russia's military support for Syria, including the recent supply of anti-aircraft missiles to prevent Israeli attacks on Syrian weapons facilities, made Tel Aviv suspicious of Moscow's influence on Fiji peacekeepers. That might be behind the clarification by Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, the RFMF Land Force Commander, that the Golan Heights deployment already had the equipment they needed.

Just how far Fiji will push the military relationship with Russia and what Israel's reaction will be are yet untested. Nevertheless, the Bainimarama Government will continue to pursue its BRICS strategy, creating further impediments to a return to a normal relationship with its traditional friends until the impasse over sanctions is resolved.

Even then, Fiji seems committed to new directions that will be more resolutely independent and Asia-focused than pre-2006 and certainly with less of the “traditional” in its relationship.

Richard Herr is the Adjunct Professor of Pacific Governance and Diplomacy at the University of Fiji where he is also the Honorary Director of the Centre for International and Regional Affairs. He can be contacted on: richardh@unifiji.ac.fj

Russia's Pacific Fleet was involved in two major exercises in July: a surprise week-long operational readiness inspection and a joint drill with the Chinese Navy in the Russian Far East.

Source: Reuters

Russia's Pacific Fleet was involved in two major exercises in July: a surprise week-long operational readiness inspection and a joint drill with the Chinese Navy in the Russian Far East.

Both events testify not just to Russia's intensified activity in the Pacific but also to the growing significance of that region in international politics on the whole.

The booming economic growth of Asia-Pacific countries leads to conflicts of economic interests, the forming of new regional associations, and the flaring up of territorial disputes.

The presence of seabed oil and gas reserves contributes to increased maritime activity in the region, if not to greater tension between the different regional powers.

The exact volume of those reserves and their economic value have yet to be assessed. However, given the unstable situation in the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific hydrocarbon reserves may prove to be of considerable interest to regional and extra-regional players alike.

Strengthening of the Chinese Navy

The current geopolitical situation is forcing Asia-Pacific countries to bolster their naval power, since a major stretch of state borders and trade routes in the region are maritime.

Particularly noteworthy in this respect are China's efforts to strengthen its Navy.

Already today China may be considered the world's third naval power after the USA and Russia, if not in absolute terms then in terms of its potential.

The service entry of the nation's first aircraft carrier Liaoning in September 2012 became a milestone achievement in the history of the Chinese Navy.

The Chinese government has been repeatedly stressing the Navy's key role both in increasing the PLA's combat capability and in developing the country's economy.

US presence in Asia Pacific

The USA is also actively involved in the Asia-Pacific processes. There is an obvious military aspect to President Barack Obama's Pivot to Asia strategy.

Washington has notably built up its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years.

Examples include the recent deployment of a USMC detachment to Darwin, Australia, as well as the return of the US Seventh Fleet to Subic Bay in the Philippines (which used to be a USN base until 1992). Although it is as yet early to be speaking of an open confrontation between naval powers in the Pacific, let alone of an arms race in the region, the situation is evidently becoming tenser than it was but a decade ago.

An important aspect of the rivalry between the U.S. and China, which is taking on increasing significance in East Asia, is the potential for naval confrontation. Source: AP

Russia's Pacific Fleet

In this situation, Russia's on-going effort to bolster its Pacific Fleet appears to be fairly logical.

In the light of Asia Pacific's growing economic and political significance, ensuring the security of fishing and merchant vessels and protecting the country's maritime borders from a variety of threats are becoming the Russian Navy's top priorities.

According to Russian Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice-Adm Alexander Fedotenkov, the Navy will take delivery of 36 new warships and auxiliary vessels in 2013.

Fedotenkov does not specify how these new ships will be distributed among the country's different fleets, but it is safe to assume that a significant portion will be used to bolster the Pacific Fleet. Furthermore, the first French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship of the four on order should be added to the Pacific Fleet inventory in 2014.

That said, Russia is not interested in escalating tensions in Asia Pacific because such a scenario would pose a serious threat to its own national security.

On the contrary, the presence of a third, neutral naval power in the region might become a restraining factor in a possible standoff between the USA and China.

In addition, it is worth remembering that Russia has been investing heavily in strengthening and developing cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries.

Source: Ria Novosti

Pacific cooperation

Naval cooperation forms an important part of Russia's Asian policy.

It involves joint military drills and exchange of experience, as well as arms trade. According to a report on the international arms market published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 65 per cent of all Russian armament exports between 2008 and 2012 went to Asia and Oceania.

The share of naval weapons systems in total Russian arms exports currently amounts to some 11 per cent.

Therefore, Russia's efforts to develop, modernise and rearm its naval force will help Moscow to promote trade with Asian countries and further expand economic cooperation in the region.

Russia is also keen on participating in bilateral and multilateral naval exercises.

The most representative upcoming events of this kind to be attended by Russian troops will be the International Fleet Review Sydney in October 2013 and Exercise RIMPAC 2014.

The General Assembly apportions peacekeeping expenses based on a special scale of assessments under a complex formula that Member States themselves have established. This formula takes into account, among other things, the relative economic wealth of Member States, with the five permanent members of the Security Council required to pay a larger share because of their special responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

The General Assembly reaffirmed these and other general principles underlying the financing of peacekeeping operations in resolution A/RES/55/235 (23 December 2000)

How much does peacekeeping cost?

The budget for UN Peacekeeping operations for the fiscal year 1 July 2012-30 June 2013 is about $7.33 billion [A/C.5/66/18].

By way of comparison, this is less than half of one per cent of world military expenditures (estimated at $1,753 billion in 2012).

The top 10 providers of assessed contributions to United Nations Peacekeeping operations in 2013 [A/67/224/Add.1] are:

United States (28.38%)

Japan (10.83%)

France (7.22%)

Germany (7.14%)

United Kingdom (6.68%)

China (6.64%)

Italy (4.45%)

Russian Federation (3.15%)

Canada (2.98%)

Spain (2.97%)

Many countries have also voluntarily made additional resources available to support UN Peacekeeping efforts on a non-reimbursable basis in the form of transportation, supplies, personnel and financial contributions above and beyond their assessed share of peacekeeping costs.

Although the payment of peacekeeping assessments is mandatory, as of 31 May 2013, Member States owed approximately $1.24 billion in current and back peacekeeping dues.

How are resources budgeted?

Budgets of peacekeeping operations are based on the missions’ mandate from the Security Council. As such, they are strategic documents aligning resources to achieve the overall objectives of the operation.

Each peacekeeping operation has its own budget and account which includes operational costs such as transport and logistics and staff costs such as salaries.

The peacekeeping budget cycle runs from 1 July to 30 June. This cycle is rarely aligned with the Security Council mandate; however budgets are prepared for 12 months based on of the most current mandate of the operation.

At the end of the financial cycle, each peacekeeping operation prepares and submits a performance report which shows the actual use of resources. This report is also considered and approved by the General Assembly.

How are peacekeepers compensated?

The UN has no military forces of its own, and Member States provide, on a voluntary basis, the military and police personnel required for each peacekeeping operation.

Peacekeeping soldiers are paid by their own Governments according to their own national rank and salary scale. Countries volunteering uniformed personnel to peacekeeping operations are reimbursed by the UN at a standard rate, approved by the General Assembly, of a little over US$1,028 per soldier per month.

Police and other civilian personnel are paid from the peacekeeping budgets established for each operation.

Nanise LoanakadavuSaturday, July 27, 2013FIJI'S participation as a small nation in the Golan Heights shows the country is "doing this above our weight".And one of the best things Fiji can market to other countries is its people, says contingent leader Major Ned Taito who led the second troop to the war zone early yesterday morning.He said the RFMF had also included pre-deployment training for some officers which was specifically to bring them up to date with United Nations standard such as discrimination and rules of engagement as part of their preparation for the mission."We also have staff officers, clerk officers and seafarers as part of this deployment. Deployment is part of Fiji's commitment that is incorporated in the country's roadmap," Maj Taito said.He said one of the 11 Pillars of government's reform was to engage with international relations and that was exactly what they were doing.

A NINE-member team of medical personnel is expected to leave the country by mid-September.Negotiations are in progress for a team to leave once the Fijian medical base in the Golan Heights is in full operation.This was revealed by the contingent leader of the second troop that left the country early yesterday morning, Major Ned Taito.He said the 11 medical personnel, who left the country last month, had been on the ground doing some work.However, he said the final decision on when these medical personnel would leave Fiji would rest with the Ministry of Health and UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).The medical personnel, who left in June this year, include two doctors, six nurses and three technicians.One of the staff nurses based at the Nausori Hospital, who will be part of the team bound for Golan Heights in September, said she was excited and looking forward to experience a different field.Inise Turaga said preparations had been well in progress and she was ready to serve the country to the best of her ability."I am excited because this will be an opportunity to experience a totally different field," Ms Turaga said.The nine-member medical team will include six nurses and three doctors.

KADAVU soldier Corporal Maciu Waqanisau said the best and only weapon soldiers could take to the Golan Heights was the Word of God.

He was the first man who caught the attention of The Fiji Times teams when they arrived at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks on Thursday night.

Cpl Waqanisau was sitting next to his wife Vou and his 10-year-old daughter Grace at the parade ground offering them words of encouragement that he would be back soon.

He said it was hard seeing his daughter and wife in tears because it was hard leaving them behind.

He said while they were aware of the situation there, it was important that every officer prepared themselves spiritually.

For most of the soldiers, deployment on a peacekeeping mission was not new, however, Cpl Waqanisau said the only thing that made this mission new was the report of civil unrest at the Israeli-Syria border.

The 160-strong contingent shook the hands of the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama before they were given another 30 minutes with their loved ones.

Hundreds of people gathered to show their support for their fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, mothers and sisters who were deployed as part of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on a peacekeeping mission to the Golan Heights.

IT may be his first peacekeeping mission, but 25-year-old Private Atonio Tavenai is ready to face the challenges for the sake of the nation.He is part of the 163-member troop that was farewelled at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks on Thursday night.They flew out of the country early yesterday morning from Nadi.Private Tavenai, who hails from Bau, said he was ready to serve his country wholeheartedly."I am excited, this will be my first mission outside Fiji and I am confident that I will do my best not only for my family but for the nation as a whole," Private Tavenai said.Asked why he agreed to be part of this peacekeeping mission, Private Tavenai replied "it was for Fiji and the people".He said his childhood dream of becoming a solider was rewarding, adding he will be able to support his family financially.He said this was the nation's call and he wanted to prove to his family that he was capable of achieving his dreams despite all the hardships.His mother Maria Baleilesu stood beside him with her head buried with her hands weeping silently."I am happy and sad at the same time," she said."This is the first time he will be leaving us and I know the Lord will protect him where he goes."She said her only hope and prayer was that her son returned home safely.

CORPORAL Apenisa Raiqeu of Nakorosule, Naitasiri, is not afraid, although he knows that death will stare him in the face in the Golan Heights.During the farewell parade at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua on Thursday night, Cpl Raiqeu hugged his five children while tears streaming down his face and asked them to remember him in their prayers.However, his wife Maria Raiqeu was confident when she held his hands and told him that he needed to be strong and do whatever was required of him.Cpl Raiqeu said although he had been to Lebanon, Iraq and Sinai, Thursday night's farewell was different because his children were all present to bid him goodbye."I am confident and I am fully aware of the situation in the Golan Heights," Cpl Raiqeu said."All we need are your prayers and dedications that we will return home safely."He said since they were informed about the mission, most of them were going through the internet for information on the situation at the troubled border.Mrs Raiqeu said faith was all that her husband needed to guide him through his trials and tribulations. However, he said the 182-member troop had indicated that they were doing well and were ready to receive them today.Meanwhile, other families gathered around their loved ones to bid them farewell.The troop left QEB at midnight for Nadi.

Major Ned Taito accompanies Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on a final inspection of soldiers who left for the Golan Heights yesterday morning. Picture: ATU RASEA

THE 160-strong contingent of Fiji soldiers, who left the country early yesterday morning, were told to follow the Prime Minister's advice and directives so that they can enjoy their tour of duty in the Golan Heights and return home safely.

July 25, 2013

CASH continues to be the primary financial instrument type that is reflected in the Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) given by the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit in 2012.And according to FIU's 2012 annual report, of the 579 transactions reported as suspicious in 2012, 392 or 68 per cent involved cash transactions."Other types of financial instruments involved in STRs include cash (local and foreign currency), cheque (bank cheques, drafts, personal and company cheques), remittances and other instruments (account-to-account transfers, credit cards and travellers cheques)," the report said."The number of STRs that involved remittance transactions increased by 45 per cent from 75 in 2011 to 109 in 2012 due primarily to an increase in the number of reported cybercrime, internet banking fraud and advanced fee fraud cases."It said 96 per cent of the STRs in 2012 involved Fiji currency while the number of suspicious transactions that involved foreign currency decreased to 25 STRs for the same year.In terms of customer type, the report said there were 496 (85 per cent) STRs reported on transactions conducted by individuals or personal customers and 83 (15 per cent) by corporate or business entities."The number of STRs on legal entities such as companies in 2012 decreased to 83 STRs — this was compared to 101 STRs in 2011," it said."It was also noted that some of the transactions reported on individuals were indirectly linked to legal entities such as companies and sole proprietorships."FIU said earlier the total annual value of suspicious transactions that was reported last year decreased significantly to $20million from $59.5m in 2011.It said the average value of a transaction reported to the FIU for 2012 as suspicious was $35,000 compared to $82,000 in 2011.

THE Chinese Railway First Group company is carrying out awareness on their safety culture to communities along the Nabouwalu-Dreketi corridor.Company occupational and health safety officer Julian Daveta said the awareness program covered schools, villages and other settlements between Dreketi and Nabouwalu."We are conducting awareness on road safety involving visits to schools and teaching children to be safe road users by developing their knowledge and understanding of road construction sites," Mr Daveta said."Since these villagers and children will be passing through the construction sites when travelling through that road, the awareness program is targeted at road users behavioural skills while at the construction sites and making them aware of their responsibilities to ensure their safety."It will also ensure that people have a responsible attitude toward their own safety and the safety of others who are working at the site."